Those who received payouts in the six-figure range last fall include David Ashburn and Don Oliver (both were forcibly “retired” in January) and Randy Camp who “retired” in December and took an identical position in Catoosa.

Heiskell herself did not take the package.

The retirement buyout plan was, according to recipient David Ashburn, meant to save the county money long-term. By getting people out of the plan, it will theoretically cost less over the lifetimes of those who took the buyout. Something like paying off a mortgage early. But Walker County didn’t have the money up front to do this last year, and most of the beneficiaries happen to be long-time allies of the now former Commissioner.

Now that this is news, some suggest Heiskell should be charged with a crime – but she didn’t do anything illegal. As sole commissioner she had discretion to do it, and did. The problem isn’t the person in office but the county’s system of government, which gives full control over the county budget to a single individual.

Which is why Shannon Whitfield and Steve Tarvin should make ending that system their top priority, as voters demanded last year, instead of taking their sweet time with it.

Willmon’s adult son Larry Bodily was arrested for the murder, and also charged with stealing a guitar and credit card from his mother. (Bodily was previously arrested and released on drug charges days before she disappeared.)

LaFayette City Hall will soon get a new roof and a makeover, despite a shortfall in city funds.

WQCH Radio, 02/17/17:“IT’S NOT IN THE BUDGET, BUT LAFAYETTE CITY HALL NEEDS A NEW ROOF, AND THE COUNCIL APPROVED A NEARLY 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FACILITY MONDAY NIGHT [2 weeks ago].

“CITY MANAGER DAVID HAMILTON REVEALED THAT ‘SPLOST’ SALES TAX REVENUE IS ABOUT 600-THOUSAND DOLLARS LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED – AND THE CITY HALL ROOF WAS ON THAT LIST.

“THE COUNCIL APPROVED HIS RECOMMENDATION TO GO WITH FRYAR CONSTRUCTION’S BID OF $98,652 TO PUT A NEW PITCHED ROOF ON THE BUILDING. FACADE MATERIALS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST-FACING WALLS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF THE BUILDING, AND THE MAIN ENTRANCE WILL GET A NEW GABLED ROOF. THE PLANS CALL FOR A SHINGLE ROOF, GUARANTEED FOR 25 YEARS. IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT REPLACING THE EXISTING FLAT ROOF, WHILE LESS EXPENSIVE, WAS GUARANTEED FOR ONLY 10 YEARS.

“THE CITY MANAGER SAID HE WILL DO SOME ‘SWAPPING’ IN THE CURRENT BUDGET TO MAKE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE CITY HALL PROJECT.”

One thing a remodeled City Hall won’t be getting is modern online bill pay, as the city helpfully reminded everyone a few days ago:

We have been contacted by several customers today asking about online bill pay. As a result of some investigation, it…

The same companies gave a hundred grand combined to various branches of the Georgia Republican and Democrat parties, and one candidate running for Republican Party chair is on the casino payroll lobbying to change laws in their favor.

But for this year the law won’t change: With the deadline to pass legislation approaching, a bill that would allow limited casino gambling in the state has been withdrawn. The sponsor cited lack of support, but says he’ll be trying again next year.

Our newest episode explores the art of building musical instruments. For Jason Armstrong, building guitars started as a creative outlet and became a small business. Each instrument from American Exotic Guitars is handcrafted to suit the desires of the owner.

A complex problem that doesn’t have an easy fix, so whatever they come up with is bound to make things worse.

Whitfield County is working to preserve 301 acres of Civil War history atop Rocky Face Ridge, but has run into problems concerning a controversial bike trail planned for the property.

Supporters say adding a trail will make the land accessible to the public and reduce costs of the project with more grant funding, but opponents say the bicyclers will destroy fragile earthworks left from the battle 150 years ago.

Two years later there are still a lot of unanswered questions. One of the two officers who overstepped his authority and harassed the small-business owners into jail still has his job in law enforcement.

Can’t happen here? Yeah right…

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